The Kirksville Police Department warned owners and renters of self-storage units to take precautionary steps to protect their property after a series of break-ins at area storage units.

KPD offered several safety tips after taking multiple reports over the past week of theft of items from self-storage facilities.

According to KPD:

The first step to theft prevention is to secure the unit with a proper lock like a disc lock, which provides additional reinforcement and protection.

Owners should also catalog all items in storage and take pictures of those items including serial numbers and defining characteristics. Keeping track of that information can help police return stolen items if they are recovered. Police are also able to track items through serial numbers in the possibility stolen items are pawned.

Don't put easily carried or valuable items like televisions or stereos near the front of the unit; hide them behind other boxes to deter theft and when stacking boxes, with the heavier, larger boxes on the bottom and put smaller items on the top.

Visit your storage unit frequently to ensure your items are secure. If a unit is broken into, a specific timeframe for the break-in can help police locate the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding thefts or suspicious activity or persons is encouraged to contact KPD at (660) 785-6945 or Central Dispatch at (660) 665-5621 or anonymously at (660) 627-BUST or by email at police@kirksvillecity.com.